The Motor Sports Association (MSA) welcomes today's announcement by the Prime Minister that Councils are to be given the power to suspend the Road Traffic Act under certain circumstances.
This move, which has been the focus of a five-year campaign by the MSA, will have the impact of enabling properly organised and carefully regulated motor sport events to take place on closed public roads in Britain for the first time.
Rob Jones, MSA Chief Executive, said:
“This has the potential to transform British motor sport and is something that we have campaigned for over a very long period of time. We are extremely pleased that the government has recognised the benefit of motor sport, not only to the UK economy but also to the sporting success of the country. It is a significant step forward and will bring Britain in line with other countries across Europe where this is already commonplace.”
The MSA’s campaign to facilitate closed road motor sport on mainland Britain has gained the support of many notable figures within the industry:
Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, three-time F1 world champion:“I whole-heartedly support the initiative to introduce the opportunity for motor sport to utilise appropriate public roads for sporting events. The British motor sport industry is one of the UK’s most successful enterprises and we indeed lead the world in this field. There are many other countries that use their roads on a temporary basis for significant sporting events that attract worldwide interest. In many cases it can even progress safety standards on those same roads for the benefit of the general public and all road users. The MSA (Motor Sports Association) are very conscientious regarding all matters involving safety.”
Nigel Mansell CBE, former F1 world champion:"I have seen first-hand the very significant impact of motor sport on the economy of the Isle of Man and Jersey, so this would be a great move forward for the sport and would bring visitors and pride to parts of the country that wish to stage such events. I am delighted that this government is embracing motor sport which will assist the UK's world-leading position, and improve the sport's ability to help provide opportunities and focus for young people."
Sir Stirling Moss OBE, Former F1 driver“This is a fantastic idea! One thing you need to remember: When I was racing years and years ago we nearly had a race round Hyde Park and that was turned down by the police because they would have had a million people coming out and they couldn’t control them, so that’s what stopped it. So if there’s any way they can get a local council to do that then it’s absolutely fantastic. One hopes that if they do get permission they use a good road. I don’t mean good as in wide or anything like that, but an interesting and challenging road, so it would be wonderful if you could get it going. I would certainly love to see it.”
Derek Warwick, Former F1 driver, President, British Racing Drivers’ Club“I think it would change the perception of British motor sport because it brings the fans closer to the action. It will help all forms of motor racing, not just hill climbs or karting. For the competitor it will bring them more to the forefront, it will help them in sponsorship, it will help them get their name across to the general public, and it will bring the public in as part of the event and I think that’s important. Obviously in terms of helping the area it’s going to bring massive revenue in terms of hotels, restaurants etc. So I think it’s a fantastic initiative that has my full support.”
Allan McNish, 2013 FIA World Endurance Champion, BBC F1 presenter"As a young racing driver I was lucky enough to compete in the Birmingham Superprix which raced around the Bull Ring area of the city. It was an important international race televised across the world, as well as being an excellent experience in the art of road racing, something that I relied on throughout my career at races like Monaco F1 GP and Le Mans 24 Hours. The UK has a great history in producing World Champions and world-leading technologies in motor sport, and I support the amendments to the Road Traffic Act to bring the UK in line with our next door neighbouring countries to run a limited number of closed roads events to allow the competitors, local business, tourism industry and fans to enjoy the sport in an exciting environment."
Andy Priaulx MBE, World Touring Car Champion, 2005-2007 “In the Channel Islands there would be no motor sport if we didn’t do it on closed roads. We race the Val des Terres and Bouley Bay hill climbs and we’ve got the Vazon sprint. It’s a spectacle for the local people and it gives everyone in grassroots motor sport a chance to be involved. I think it’s great for the economy of Guernsey to have a national hill climb, bringing UK people over to watch the event. I talk to people all over the world about Le Val des Terres and Bouley Bay; they are unique, a bit like Monaco but in the islands, so I think it’s very important to be able to bring grassroots motor sport to the public. It may not be a grand prix but you still get the same enjoyment at your local sprint or hill climb.”
David Brabham, Former F1 driver, Le Mans 24 Hours winner“Britain has long been the Mecca of motor sport worldwide, so when my father won his world championships, he had to come to Britain to do that. It amazes me to think that Britain doesn’t have racing on the roads – properly controlled, of course – because I’ve competed in similar events abroad which have a lot of spectator support; the community comes together and there are so many positives that come from an event like that. The Targa Tasmania is an event in Australia in which both my father and I have competed, and it gets thousands and thousands of people coming out to do it, to support it, and it’s such a boost to the community in terms of revenue coming in, hotels, restaurants, things like that, so it makes a lot of sense in so many ways.”
Tim Harvey, British Touring Car Champion, 1992“I think it’s an absolutely fantastic idea because it brings motor sport to the people and shows it’s not an elitist event that takes place behind fences. We had the Birmingham Superprix for a couple of years; it was such a fantastic event and people still talk about the ‘Monaco of the North’! This could bring in an awful lot of people, money, tourists, race enthusiasts and all the mechanics and teams, so it’s great for local business.”
